In an experimental murine model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), oral artesunate at 125 mg/kg/d over 16 weeks exhibited comparable immunosuppressive effects to cyclophosphamide, by repressing monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) levels, leading to a significant reduction in anti-nuclear antibody and anti-double-strand DNA (dsDNA) antibody production, proteinuria, serum creatinine as well as related renal pathology [201]. This evidence concerns the gene CCL2 and systemic lupus erythematosus.